Software conditional access system for a media delivery network

ABSTRACT

A method for purchasing a media service from a media delivery service provider includes sending a request to the media delivery service provider requesting the media service and authenticating a media distribution device by comparing a permanent virtual circuit established between the media distribution device and the media delivery service provider with a predetermined permanent virtual circuit defined and programmed by the media delivery service provider. Upon determining the media distribution device is successfully authenticated, the method includes downloading a software key from the media delivery service provider to the media distribution device and automatically deleting the software key after a predetermined amount of time. Upon determining the media distribution device is not successfully authenticated, the method includes downloading displayable data to the media distribution device from the media delivery service provider.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/281,207 filed Apr. 2, 2001 and U.S. Non Provisional application Ser.No. 09/963,779, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a media delivery network.More particularly, the present invention relates to a softwareconditional access system for a media delivery network.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

More than ever before, residential consumers are being provided with awealth of media resources. While cable television, the Internet, andon-demand media have been available for years, recently developedhigh-speed broadband technologies are enhancing the delivery of thesemedia services. These technologies have made it possible to increase thevariety of available media services and to enhance the ability of theuser to interact with the media delivery system to tailor media deliveryto the user's preferences. Satellite communications, asymmetric digitalsubscriber lines (ADSL), and broadband cable are providing newhigh-throughput connections to media delivery services. Media servicesconsumers are commonly establishing wireless connections to satellites,telephony-based connections to ADSL, and broadband cable connections tothe media service providers. Typically, these connections are processedby a Media Distribution Device that processes media content and data androutes the media and/or data to media presentation devices, such as atelevision or personal computer. A conventional Set-top Box (STB) is anexample of a Media Distribution Device.

A Conditional Access System (CAS) may be used to restrict the deliveryor viewing of media services. For example, a CAS may be used to prohibita cable television (CATV) or satellite television viewer from viewing acertain pay-per-view event unless the viewer has paid to view the event.Traditionally, the CAS has required hardware smartcard technology. Onesuch CAS has an access-enabling card (a smartcard) that is inserted intoa Media Distribution Device and is able to decrypt data to view an eventwhen the user has paid to view the event. The smartcard also includesaccount and billing information that is periodically uploaded via aphone line to the media service provider. For example, when a userpurchases a pay-per-view event, a flash memory of the smartcard may beupdated to reflect that the user purchased the event. The smartcard mayprovide decryption of the pay-per-view event and allow the user to viewthe purchased event. At a later time, such as during the early morning,the Media Distribution Device may connect via a phoneline to a billingsystem to update the billing system with the billing information fromthe smartcard. This type of CAS may be referred to as a hardware CASbecause it includes a piece of hardware (smartcard) at the MediaDistribution Device that is used to provide conditional access.

Although a hardware CAS works fairly well, it does have some problems.One problem is that a hardware CAS costs a great deal of money toimplement, maintain and update. For example, a smartcard may cost aroundten dollars. Periodically, updated smartcards need to be provided to allcustomers. A CATV or satellite service provider may have millions ofcustomers. Thus, the costs of providing updated smartcards are great,Moreover, customer support must be provided to help users who havedifficulty installing their new smartcards. Also, some customers maybecome frustrated and cancel their service, resulting in lost revenues.Moreover, the cost of smartcard readers, smartcard media and theadministration process for managing smartcard distribution is high on aper device basis. Thus, a hardware CAS is expensive to implement andmaintain.

Another problem with a hardware CAS is fraud. Smartcards may be cloned,hacked, stolen, duplicated, moved, etc. and these cards may be used toreceive media services without paying the proper revenue to the mediaservice providers. Even if a smartcard is not tampered with, the billingsystem is only periodically updated by a user's Media DistributionDevice. Thus, a clever and devious user may view a pay-per-view event,but then disconnect the telephone line from their Media DistributionDevice before the Media Distribution Device dials the service provider.Thus, a user may be able to delay or circumvent payment for mediaservices due to deficiencies in the hardware CAS technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method forpurchasing a media service from a media delivery service provider isprovided. The method includes sending a request, by an applicationexecuting on a computer processor of a media distribution device, to themedia delivery service provider requesting the media service. The methodalso includes authenticating, by the application, the media distributiondevice by comparing a permanent virtual circuit established between themedia distribution device and the media delivery service provider with apredetermined permanent virtual circuit defined and programmed by themedia delivery service provider. Upon determining the media distributiondevice is successfully authenticated, the method includes downloading asoftware key from the media delivery service provider to the mediadistribution device and automatically deleting the software key after apredetermined amount of time. Upon determining the media distributiondevice is not successfully authenticated, the method includesdownloading displayable data to the media distribution device from themedia delivery service provider.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a computerprogram product for purchasing a media service from a media deliveryservice provider is provided. The computer program product includes anon-transitory storage medium containing instructions that when executedby a processing circuit perform a method. The method includes sending arequest to the media delivery service provider for the media service andauthenticating a media distribution device by comparing a permanentvirtual circuit established between the media distribution device andthe media delivery service provider with a predetermined permanentvirtual circuit defined and programmed by the media delivery serviceprovider. Upon determining the media distribution device is successfullyauthenticated, the method includes downloading a software key from themedia delivery service provider to the media distribution device andautomatically deleting the software key after a predetermined amount oftime. Upon determining the media distribution device is not successfullyauthenticated, the method includes downloading displayable data to themedia distribution device from the media delivery service provider.

The various aspects of the present invention may be more clearlyunderstood and appreciated from a review of the following detaileddescription of the disclosed embodiments and by reference to thedrawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary operating environment in whichembodiments of the present invention may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting some of the primary components of anexemplary Media Distribution Device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting a media delivery system with asoftware conditional access system (CAS) in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting an exemplary method for purchasingmedia services using a software conditional access system (CAS) inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, the invention is a software conditional access system(CAS) for media services provided to a Media Distribution Device, suchas a set top box (STB). The STB may be connected to a Media DeliveryService Provider via a broadband connection. Over the broadbandconnection, a CAS application may be downloaded to the STB, maintainedand dynamically updated. Because the CAS is implemented by software onthe STB, it is inexpensive to install, maintain and update.

When a user desires to purchase media services through the STB, arequest is sent to the Media Delivery Service Provider via the broadbandconnection, A part of the request may be identifying information of theSTB. For example, the MAC address of the STB or the hardware serialnumber of the STB may be sent with the request. The service providerthen cross-references the identifying information with a user's accountto determine whether to allow the user to view the media servicerequested. If the service provider determines to allow the user to viewthe media service, the user's account (typically maintained by theservice provider) is charged and a key is downloaded via the broadbandconnection to the STB. Thus, there is no lag time between a userpurchasing the media service and the user being charged for the mediaservice.

The key allows the user to view the requested media service. Forexample, the key may be software that is programmed to decrypt therequested media service for viewing. After the requested media serviceends, after a predetermined amount of time, etc., the CAS applicationmay delete the key.

In one embodiment, the invention is a software conditional access system(CAS) for media services provided to a Media Distribution Device, suchas a set top box (STB). The STB may be connected to a Media DeliveryService Provider via a broadband connection. Over the broadbandconnection, a CAS application may be downloaded to the STB, maintainedand dynamically updated. Because the CAS is implemented by software onthe STB, it is inexpensive to install, maintain and update.

When a user desires to purchase media services through the STB, arequest is sent to the Media Delivery Service Provider via the broadbandconnection. A part of the request may be identifying information of theSTB. For example, the MAC address of the STB or the hardware serialnumber of the STB may be sent with the request. The service providerthen cross-references the identifying information with a user's accountto determine whether to allow the user to view the media servicerequested. If the service provider determines to allow the user to viewthe media service, the user's account (typically maintained by theservice provider) is charged and a key is downloaded via the broadbandconnection to the STB. Thus, there is no lag time between a userpurchasing the media service and the user being charged for the mediaservice.

The key allows the user to view the requested media service. Forexample, the key may be software that is programmed to decrypt therequested media service for viewing. After the requested media serviceends, after a predetermined amount of time, etc., the CAS applicationmay delete the key.

Having briefly described embodiments of the present invention above, ablock diagram of an exemplary operating environment will be describedbelow in reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary operating environment in whichembodiments of the present invention may be implemented. Media contentis typically delivered to a customer by means of a Media DistributionDevice 100. The most common Media Distribution Devices are conventionalSet-Top Boxes (STBs). The Media Distribution Device (MDD) 100 canprovide media content and/or data to a media presentation device 101over a communication link 102. The most common example of a mediapresentation device 101 is a conventional television, although a stereoor home theater system would also represent a media presentation deviceif audio content is to be purchased and played via an implementation ofthe invention. Typically, the MDD 100 will deliver media content only tomedia presentation device 101. However, newer-generation mediapresentation devices 101 have the ability to process data received fromthe Media Distribution Device 100. Such data may include informationpertaining to the presentation of the media content on the mediapresentation device 101.

Another example of a media presentation device 101 is a conventionalpersonal computer. The personal computer can receive media content, suchas Internet content from the Media Distribution Device 180 and presentit to a customer/user. As is well known, a personal computer can alsoprocess data received from the Media Distribution Device 100 to formatthe presentation of the delivered media content. The MDD 100 can receivemedia content and data from one or more sources. In the example of FIG.1, the MDD 100 is depicted receiving media and data from a MediaDelivery Service Provider 103. Examples of a Media Delivery ServiceProvider are a cable T.V. provider, a satellite T.V. provider, anInternet service provider, and a telephone service provider. Notably,the media content and data may be delivered over a single communicationlink or may be delivered over separate communication links.

In the example of FIG. 1, the Media Delivery Service Provider 103 canprovide media content and data to the MDD 100 via an Asymmetric DigitalSubscriber Line (ADSL) modem 106. The Media Delivery Service Provider103 may also provide media content and data to the MDD 100 via asatellite 104. The satellite can deliver media content and data directlyto the MDD 100 over a communications link 122. Such a direct linkusually involves the use of a small satellite dish in conjunction withthe MDD 100, The satellite 104 can also deliver the media content anddata to the Media Delivery Service Provider 103 via anothercommunication link 120. This media content and data may be rerouted tothe MDD 100 from the Media Delivery Service Provider 103 over a separatecommunication link.

The MDD 100 may also have a direct communication link 108 with the MediaDelivery Service Provider 103. Such a link might be a conventional2400-baud modem connection to the Media Delivery Service Provider 103.This communication link 108 may also be a direct hardwire connection ora network connection, such as an Ethernet connection.

In any event, the MDD 100 receives media content and data from a MediaDelivery Service Provider 103 and delivers the media content and/or datato the media presentation device 101 for presentation to the customer.Typically, the MDD 100 can communicate in two-directions over thecommunication links 108 and 124. That is, the MDD 100 can respond toqueries and/or commands received from the Media Delivery ServiceProvider 103 and return data and for messages, in response to thereceipt of a query or command. The Simple Network Management Protocol(SNMP) is a standard that has been developed to standardize such two-waycommunication between the MDD 100 and the Media Delivery ServiceProvider 103. Typically, an SNMP agent will be installed in the MDD 100and will coordinate all SNMP communications between the WD 100 and theMedia Delivery Service Provider 103. Applications operating on eitherservers within the Media Delivery Service Provider 103, or within theMedia Distribution Device 100, may also communicate directly via TCP/IPor other proprietary protocol as appropriate for the applications needs.The specific protocol of communication is not material to theimplementation of the invention. Notably, such two-way communicationsare not currently available over communications link 122 with thesatellite 104.

The Media Delivery Service Provider 103 may also use an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention to upload software, media content,and/or data to the Media Distribution Device 100 or the mediapresentation device 101. This upload can be automatic or in response toa customer request.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting some of the primary components of anexemplary Media Distribution Device. The conventional Media DistributionDevice 200 includes a processing unit 221, a system memory 222, and asystem bus 223 that couples the system memory to the processing unit.The system memory 222 includes read-only memory (ROM) 224, flash memory(not shown) and random access memory (RAM) 225. A basic input/outputsystem 226 (BIOS) contains rudimentary code to execute basic functions,such as system start-up. The BIOS 226 is stored in the ROM 224. Variousprogram modules may be stored in the RAM 225. Such program modules mightinclude an operating system 235, a conditional access system softwaremodule 236 including a key 250, and data and media content 238.

Although not depicted in FIG. 2, the MDD 200 could also include a harddrive, flash memory or other non-volatile memory for long-term storageof program modules such as billing information, the operating system235, the conditional access system 236, and the data and media content238. The hard drive may be connected to the MDD 200 via a hard driveinterface. Similarly, other peripheral devices could be connected to theMDD with other interfaces not depicted in FIG. 2. Moreover, the MDDcould also be equipped with an input device, such as keyboard and/ormouse.

The MDD 200 can also include a video adapter 248 or other adapter fordelivery of media content and/or data to a media presentation device247. The MDD 200 also includes a Media In Adapter 246 and a Data InAdapter 253. These adapters permit connection of the MDD 200 to acommunication link for one-way and/or two-way communication with a MediaDelivery Service Provider. The Media In Adapter 246 and the Data InAdapter 253 may incorporate a modem and/or other communication device.

The MDD 200 receives media content and data and makes the media contentand data available to other internal components by way of internalinterfaces such as the system bus 223. The processing unit 221 can routethe media content and/or data in accordance with the instructions of theoperating system 235 and/or other applications executed in the RAM.225.In addition, the processing unit 221 may store the media content anddata in the RAM 225 for subsequent use. The processing unit 221 may alsodirect the media content and/or data to the media presentation device247 via the presentation device adapter 248.

The conditional access system 236 may be executed by the processing unit221 in response to a command received from the Media Delivery ServiceProvider or any other source. The command may be formatted in accordancewith the SNMP protocol. The conditional access system 236 may also beexecuted in response to a command received from user input, such as auser selecting to view a pay-per-view event, for example.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting a Media Delivery System with asoftware conditional access system that is an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. As described above in connection with FIG. 2, theMDD 300 has a resident conditional access system 312.

The Media Delivery Service Provider 302 is operative to communicate withthe MDD 300 via the satellite 304, a direct link 308, and/or a DSL modem306. A broadband connection between the Media Delivery Service Provider302 and the MDD 300 is preferable, because it permits the Media DeliveryService Provider 310 to communicate with the MDD 300 in real-time andcan support an “always-on” connection. Thus, the Media Delivery ServiceProvider can query for and obtain information related to the MDD 300within a very short time frame. Because a broadband connection canmaintain an always-on status, the Media Delivery Service Provider canautonomously query the MDD 300 during off-peak hours of operation,thereby reducing the impact on system resources.

Although the broadband connection depicted in FIG. 3 is supported bymeans of an ADSL modem 306, virtually any broadband technology can beused to implement an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Forexample, a conventional broadband cable-T.V. connection between theMedia Delivery Service Provider 302 and the MDD 300 can be used.Unfortunately, current broadband cable-

T.V. protocols are not as secure as an ADSL broadband communicationlink. Broadband cable-T.V. signals can be intercepted and deciphered,while the communication link between the ADSL modem 306 and the MediaDelivery Service Provider 302 can be implemented as a Private VirtualNetwork that is not shared by other users. Thus, an ADSL broadbandconnection between the MDD 300 and the Media Delivery Service Provider302 is preferred to other available broadband connections.

In different embodiments of the invention, the broadband connection 324may be an xDSL connection, a Data Over Cable Service InterfaceSpecifications (DOCSIS) cable modem connection, a residential gatewayconnected to an Ethernet port, an IEEE 802.11b (wireless) connection, aBluetooth connection, or another well-known broadband connection,

In a preferred embodiment, the broadband connection 324 is an ADSLconnection and the Media Distribution Device 300 and Media DeliveryService Provider 302 are connected via a permanent virtual circuit(PVC). Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is a high speedtransmission technology originally developed by Bellcore andstandardized by ANSI as T 1.413. ADSL typically uses existing unshieldedtwisted pair (UTP) copper wires from the telephone central office to theuser's premises. ADSL modems may be used at the central office and theuser's premises to transmit and receive information. A permanent virtualcircuit (PVC), or Private Virtual Network (PVN), is a permanentassociation between two pieces of data equipment established byconfiguration. A PVC uses a fixed logical channel to maintain apermanent association between two pieces of equipment. Once defined andprogrammed by the carrier into the network routing logic, all datatransmitted between any two points across the network follows apredetermined physical path, making use of a virtual circuit.

One of the advantages of using a PVC is that the Media DistributionDevice may be identified based on the PVC. Thus, if the MediaDistribution Device is moved to another location, then the serviceprovider will know that it has been moved or cloned and will be able totake appropriate action, such as disconnecting service to prevent fraud.

In another embodiment of the invention, the Media Distribution Device isconnected to a broadband infrastructure using a technology such as XDSLat the transport layer. Using a PVC managed by a device such as aService Gateway, a secured connection is established over a privatenetwork to authenticate and authorize Media Distribution Devicetransactions. Applications may be loaded on the Media DistributionDevice as an OSGi bundle. OSGi is the Open Services Gateway Initiativewhich is an independent, non-profit corporation working to definespecifications for the delivery of multiple services over wide-areanetworks to local networks and devices. An OSGi specification defines anopen framework that enables multiple software services to be loaded andrun on a services gateway such as a Media Distribution Device, cablemodem, DSL modem, PC or dedicated residential gateway. MediaDistribution Devices can be authorized in a consumer network by aResidential Gateway (RG). The RG in this implementation becomes aphysical layer security device.

In a CATV environment, an IPsec connection may be used rather than a PVCconnection. IPsec is a secure version of the Internet Protocol (IP) thatprovides authentication and encryption at the packet level.

In one embodiment of the invention, the CAS 312 may be used as an accesssystem to determine the media content that may be viewed. For example, auser who has purchased premium movie channels may have a CAS 312downloaded to their Media Distribution Device. The CAS 312 may includeone or more keys 326 that provide decryption for the premium channels,The keys 326 may also be downloaded to provide access to pay-per-viewevents and the like, The CAS 312 and keys 326 may be updated at any timeby the Media Delivery Service Provider via the broadband connection 324.The Media Distribution Device may also upload billing information to theMedia Delivery Service Provider in real-time to prevent fraud.

Thus, as should be understood from the foregoing description, thepresent invention is a software-driven application that eliminates thecost of the hardware CAS and forces immediate billing of all servicesrequested by a consumer on a broadband connected Media DistributionDevice.

It should be understood from the foregoing description that the presentinvention provides greater security than the prior art because it isless likely to be able to hack the software as it was for thesmartcards. Also, fixes and updates may be downloaded to the softwareCAS of the present invention. The present invention eliminates thesmartcard required by the prior art, and the replacement of the smartcard if conditional access is compromised.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting an exemplary method for purchasingmedia services using a software conditional access system (CAS) inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It will beappreciated that the method of FIG. 4 is simply one embodiment of thepresent invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that themethod may be used for other communication systems and may be modifiedto accommodate the various policies of communication system providers.

At step 400, the method begins and a request for media services is sentto the Media Delivery Service Provider via a broadband connection atstep 402. For example, the request may be a request to view apay-per-view event sent from a user's Media Distribution Device via abroadband connection after the user has selected to view the event usingthe Media Distribution Device or a remote control connected to the MediaDistribution Device. A part of the request may be identifyinginformation of the Media Distribution Device. For example, the MACaddress of the Media Distribution Device or the hardware serial numberof the Media Distribution Device may be sent with the request.

At step 404, the Media Delivery Service Provider cross-references theidentifying information with a user's account to determine whether toallow the user to 15 view the media service requested,

At step 406, it is determined whether the identifying informationmatches a valid customer account and whether to allow the customer toview the requested program. If the Media Delivery Service Providerdetermines to allow the user to view the requested media service, theuser's account (typically maintained by the service provider) is chargedand a key is uploaded via the broadband connection to the MediaDistribution Device at step 410, Thus, there is no lag time between auser purchasing the media service and the user being charged for themedia service. The key may be a software application that allows theuser to view the requested media service. For example, the key may besoftware that is programmed to decrypt the requested media service forviewing. After the requested media service ends, after a predeterminedamount of time, etc., the conditional access system of the MediaDistribution Device may delete the key. For example, at step 412, it isdetermined whether the time limit for the media service has expired andif so then the method proceeds to step 414 where the key is deleted andthe method ends.

Referring back to step 406, if the identifying information is rejectedby the Media Delivery Service Provider, then a request for the customerto call a service representative is uploaded to the Media DistributionDevice and displayed to the user at step 408. The method then ends atstep 499.

Although the present invention has been described in connection withvarious exemplary embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that many modifications can be made thereto within the scopeof the claims that follow. Accordingly, it is not intended that thescope of the invention in any way be limited by the above description,but instead be determined entirely by reference to the claims thatfollow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for purchasing a media service from amedia delivery service provider, the method comprising: sending arequest, by an application executing on a computer processor of a mediadistribution device, to the media delivery service provider requestingthe media service; authenticating, by the application, the mediadistribution device by comparing a permanent virtual circuit establishedbetween the media distribution device and the media delivery serviceprovider with a predetermined permanent virtual circuit defined andprogrammed by the media delivery service provider; upon determining themedia distribution device is successfully authenticated, downloading asoftware key from the media delivery service provider to the mediadistribution device and automatically deleting the software key after apredetermined amount of time; and upon determining the mediadistribution device is not successfully authenticated, downloadingdisplayable data to the media distribution device from the mediadelivery service provider.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thedisplayable data includes an instruction to contact a servicerepresentative of the media delivery service provider.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: identifying information of the mediadistribution device; and comparing the information to a customer recordat the media delivery service provider; determining whether the customerrecord indicates a customer associated with the customer record is ingood standing; and upon determining the customer is in good standing,permitting the media distribution device to purchase the media service.4. The method of claim 3, wherein comparing the information to thecustomer record further includes matching a hardware serial number ofthe media distribution device with a registered hardware serial numberof the customer record.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the permanentvirtual circuit comprises a predetermined physical communications pathbetween the media distribution device and a communications component ofthe media delivery service provider.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe permanent virtual circuit comprises a communications link utilizinga broadband connection with the media delivery service provider.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the permanent virtual circuit comprises acommunications link utilizing an asymmetric digital subscriber line withthe media delivery service provider.
 8. A computer program product forpurchasing a media service from a media delivery service provider, thecomputer program product comprising a non-transitory storage mediumcontaining instructions that when executed by a processing circuitperform a method, the method includes: sending a request to the mediadelivery service provider for the media service; authenticating a mediadistribution device by comparing a permanent virtual circuit establishedbetween the media distribution device and the media delivery serviceprovider with a predetermined permanent virtual circuit defined andprogrammed by the media delivery service provider; upon determining themedia distribution device is successfully authenticated, downloading asoftware key from the media delivery service provider to the mediadistribution device and automatically deleting the software key after apredetermined amount of time; and upon determining the mediadistribution device is not successfully authenticated, downloadingdisplayable data to the media distribution device from the mediadelivery service provider.
 9. The computer program product of claim 8,wherein the displayable data includes an instruction to contact aservice representative of the media delivery service provider.
 10. Thecomputer program product of claim 8, wherein the method furthercomprises: identifying information of the media distribution device; andcomparing the information to a customer record at the media deliveryservice provider; determining whether the customer record indicates acustomer associated with the customer record is in good standing; andupon determining the customer is in good standing, permitting the mediadistribution device to purchase the media service.
 11. The computerprogram product of claim 10, wherein comparing the information to thecustomer record further includes matching a hardware serial number ofthe media distribution device with a registered hardware serial numberof the customer record.
 12. The computer program product of claim 8,wherein the permanent virtual circuit comprises a predetermined physicalcommunications path between the media distribution device and acommunications component of the media delivery service provider.
 13. Thecomputer program product of claim 8, wherein the permanent virtualcircuit comprises a communications link utilizing a broadband connectionwith the media delivery service provider.
 14. The computer programproduct of claim 8, wherein the permanent virtual circuit comprises acommunications link utilizing an asymmetric digital subscriber line withthe media delivery service provider.